What is carpal tunnel syndrome? Knowing every cause, symptom, and way of treating it

In an age in which technology has taken an important part in daily life, working at a computer for long periods has become normal for office workers, so that carpal tunnel syndrome has become a health problem met more often. If you are one of those who often feel numbness in the fingertips or pain in the wrist, this article will help you understand this problem better.

Understanding "fascia" and "carpal tunnel syndrome"

Before we go deeper into carpal tunnel syndrome, let us first understand the structure called "fascia", because understanding this point will help us understand the causes and the ways of treating it better.

Fascia is the connective tissue wrapping the muscles, the various organs, and the structures inside the body. It has the character of a thin sheet that is flexible and strong. Fascia has an important function in maintaining the shape of the organs, helping the muscles move smoothly, and helping transmit force from one muscle to another. When the fascia has a problem, such as inflammation or abnormal thickening, it affects the working of the organs and muscles that lie beneath that wrapping.

What is carpal tunnel syndrome, fascia compressing the nerve at the wrist?

Carpal tunnel syndrome, fascia compressing the nerve at the wrist, is the condition in which the main nerve of the hand (the Median Nerve) is compressed around the wrist. In this area there is a small tunnel called the Carpal Tunnel, the channel through which the nerve and the tendons have to pass. When the fascia in this area thickens or becomes inflamed, this tunnel narrows, with the result that the nerve is compressed and various symptoms follow. This situation is like a water pipe squeezed from outside, so that less water can flow through.

The causes and risk factors of carpal tunnel syndrome

Understanding the causes of carpal tunnel syndrome helps us prevent it and care for ourselves better. The main cause comes from using the hand and the wrist in an abnormal posture or using it repeatedly over a long period. The important risk factors are as follows.

Factors from work:

Working at a computer for long periods without rest
Using a mouse or typing in a posture in which the wrist has to be bent or tilted for long periods
Work requiring repeated force with the hand, such as using vibrating tools
Assembling components or driving for long periods
Working by using the hand and the wrist in an incorrect posture for long periods; this group also risks office syndrome

Factors of the body:

Women are at higher risk than men, because of the smaller size of the carpal tunnel
Those with diabetes, thyroid disease, chronic kidney disease, or rheumatoid arthritis
Women who are pregnant or at the menopause, because of hormonal changes that make the tissue swell easily

How the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can be noticed

How can the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome be noticed?

Knowing the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome helps us detect the problem at an early stage, which makes treatment more effective. The symptoms of this condition usually increase gradually over time.

The symptoms at the early stage

In the first stage, the patient feels numbness in the tip of the thumb, the index finger, the middle finger, and half of the ring finger, particularly at night or in the morning. The sharp pain or the tingling like an electric shock usually improves when the hand is shaken. Many people have to wake in the night to shake the hand to relieve the numbness.

The symptoms when it becomes more severe

When the condition becomes more severe, the numbness is present all the time. Use of the thumb is not nimble, and it is hard to grip small things, such as a coin, or to do up a button. At the severe stage, the muscle at the base of the thumb wastes, so that the palm becomes flatter and there are problems in daily activities.

How to test the symptoms yourself at first (Phalen's Test)

The Phalen's Test is a simple method that can be done yourself to assess the likelihood of carpal tunnel syndrome. Put the backs of both hands together, then press so that the wrists curve down as far as possible, and hold for 1 minute.

If during the test you feel numbness, tingling, or sharp pain around the thumb, the index finger, the middle finger, and half of the ring finger, the result of the test is considered positive, which indicates that there may be a problem of the nerve being compressed around the wrist. However, this test is only a first assessment. If you have symptoms, you should consult a doctor for precise examination and diagnosis.

The approach to treating carpal tunnel syndrome

At present there are several approaches to treating carpal tunnel syndrome, each way of treating the nerve depending on the severity of the symptoms and how long the condition has lasted. The doctor will begin with a way of treating the nerve that is not invasive, and gradually increase the intensity of the treatment as necessary.

Hydrodissection, injecting fluid to strip the fascia, without surgery

Injecting fluid to strip the fascia, or Hydrodissection, is a modern and highly effective treatment technique, using the injection of saline or a special solution to strip apart the tissue adhering together in the area where the nerve is compressed. This method gives the nerve more space in which to move and reduces the force of compression.

The steps of the treatment use examination with high-frequency sound waves (Ultrasound) to help guide the injection precisely. The advantage of this kind of treatment is that no surgery is needed, which reduces the risk and the time of recovery. The patient can return to daily activities quickly, and the rate of success in treatment is quite high.

At PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic we offer treatment with the Hydrodissection technique by specialist physicians in rehabilitation medicine, together with the use of high-frequency sound-wave technology to increase the precision of the treatment.

How to prevent it and care for yourself to stay clear of the condition

Preventing carpal tunnel syndrome is very important, because prevention is easier than treatment, and it can be done by changing your habits in daily life a little.

For office workers:

Arrange the desk suitably, with the wrist in a straight line, not having to bend or tilt
Use a wrist rest while typing or using a mouse
Take a break every 30-60 minutes to stretch
Design a working posture in which the wrist does not have to bear too much weight

Exercise and self-care:

Exercise lightly, specifically the wrist and the fingers, regularly
Rotating the wrist, stretching the fingers, and squeezing a small ball
Wear a wrist strap when doing an activity that uses the hand a great deal
Increase the flexibility and reduce the tightness of the tendons consistently

Summary

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a health problem often met in the present age, particularly among office workers who have to use a computer for long periods. If you notice numbness in the fingertips, pain in the wrist, or a feeling of weakness in using the hand, you should not leave it, because the longer it is left the more severe the symptoms become. Treatment at present has several methods, from medication and physiotherapy to a new technique such as injecting fluid to strip the fascia without surgery.

Caring for yourself by adjusting your working posture, resting regularly, and exercising the wrist specifically is the best way of preventing it. If you have symptoms, you should consult a specialist physician for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. At PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic we have specialist physicians in rehabilitation medicine ready to offer treatment with modern techniques, because treatment at an early stage gives a better result and prevents complications in the long term.

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